What to do when you arrive late in Japan?

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Punctuality is one of the main characteristics of the Japanese, and unfortunately, Brazilians fail brutally when it comes to being punctual (I say this from experience). You need to make every effort to never arrive late to a place, so always try to arrive early.

If even train stations apologize for delays of 20 seconds, arriving late in Japan is a source of immense shame. Eventually, a delay will happen, so you should be prepared to apologize the right way. Remember to be as formal as possible and bow if you arrive late at work.

Being punctual in Japan is an obligation that determines whether you are a trustworthy person or not. If you are already aware that you will be late, it is good to inform in advance. Don’t even think about arriving right on time; if you always arrive about 5 or 10 minutes early, you will leave an impression of being responsible and punctual.

Apologizing for being late in Japan

Most words related to being late come from the ideogram 遅 which means slow, delayed, and late. Below are some example phrases on how to apologize for being late:

遅れてすみませんでした 
Okurete sumimasen deshita

I apologize for my delay

すみません、遅くなりました。
Sumimasen, osoku narimashita

Sorry for being late

お待たせしてすみませんでした。
O matase shite sumimasen deshita

I’m sorry for keeping you waiting

遅れてゴメン(ね)
Okurete gomen (ne)

Sorry for the delay (light, informal among friends)

遅くなってごめん(ね)
Osoku natte gomen (ne)

Sorry for being late (informal)

お待たせしました!
Omatase shimashita!

Thank you for waiting!

遅れて申し訳ありません
Okurete mōshiwake arimasen

I’m sorry, I’m late (very formal)

失礼します
Shitsureishimasu

Excuse me (not late, but almost)

電車が遅れていて、遅れてすみません
Densha ga okurete ite, okurete sumimasen

Sorry for the delay, the train was late

Pay close attention to the phrases presented in this article so you don’t get confused. If you haven’t arrived late, but everyone is already present at the location, you can enter by asking for permission with the expression shitsureishimasu. Always use the phrases to inform that you will be late or that you might be late.

Other Japanese phrases involving delays

See other phrases related to delays in the Japanese language:

やばい、授業遅刻だ！
Yabai, jugyou chikokuda!

Shit, I’m late for class

遅れてすみません、寝過ごしました。
Okuretesumimasen, nesugoshimashita

Sorry for the delay, I lost track of time (overslept).

おそいです
Osoidesu

You are late!

すみません、10分ほど遅れるかもしれません。
Sumimasen, juubun hodo okureru kamo shiremasen.

Sorry, I might be 10 minutes late

すみません、遅れそうです。
Sumimasen, okuresou desu.

Sorry, it seems like I’m going to be late

すみません、5分遅れます。
Sumimasen, gobun okuremasu.

Sorry, I will be 5 minutes late

You can use the expression kamoshiremasen (かもしれません) to create a sentence saying that you probably (maybe) will be late. I hope these example phrases help you apologize for being late in Japan. Remember! The best thing is not to arrive late!

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